Container for holding flowable material and releasing the same into carbonated water

ABSTRACT

Containers for holding flowable materials and releasing the same into carbonated water. Methods for preparing a carbonated beverage using containers for holding flowable materials and releasing the same into carbonated water

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/770,812 filed on 22 Nov. 2018. The content of this application is incorporated by reference into this application in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application, in general, relates to the field of producing carbonated soft drinks containing syrup flavours, minerals, nutritional supplements and/sweeteners. In particular, the present application relates to capsules/containers for holding flowable materials which are likely in normal use to cause the carbonated water to effervesce.

BACKGROUND

There is a huge outcry around the globe with the intention of both raising attention to the environmental hazards of ‘single-use’ and ‘throw-away’ plastic in what continues to be a ‘throw-away’ society. Several major TV networks have set a policy to promote the hazards involved. In one particular, SKY NEWS and TV has called its wide international efforts ‘Ocean Rescue’, by releasing extensively and regularly in its own TV Documentary productions and news channels a myriad of examples of the crisis that is already upon us. When it comes to plastics, major contributors to the problem are those that manufacture plastic carbonated beverage and soda bottles that carry what is probably the most ubiquitous products sold throughout the world and from which a disproportionate volume of plastic waste is released everywhere. Plastic bottles are daily thrown up by the sea on beaches and beauty spots hundreds and even thousands of kilometres from the locations where their contents were consumed. Plastics, which eventually break up into tiny micro plastics, are killing fisheries and the plankton on which they feed, as well as the larger marine life, including whales, dolphins and birds suffering widely. It is therefore an international problem from which both the rich and the poor are suffering in similar measure.

Recently, a home carbonation device of an Israel-based manufacturing company, has gained particular prominence internationally from its sales to millions of consumers in 45 nations to date. The device is appreciated for the excellent plain soda-water that it provides in multi-use plastic bottles each of which can be used to make excellent soda-water quickly and efficiently hundreds of times using tap water. Unfortunately, as users of the device know it is less successful in turning the soda into carbonated soft drinks by the addition of a variety of sweetened flavours to the multi-use bottles of plain soda. Carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) are used many times more often by consumers than ‘single-use’ bottles of soda-water and are usually distributed with the CSDs in many times larger numbers than bottles of soda-water. Those who try to use their carbonation device to produce a CSD generally experience premature effervescence when pouring sweetened flavour recipes into or onto soda-water. One of the main causes of this is the chemical reaction of carbon dioxide dissolved in the soda-water with sucrose and fructose but to a lesser degree other ingredients that may be mixed into the flavoured syrup reducing the ‘Fizz’ of the CSDs which may in addition cause a diminution of the flavour. This does not occur if the syrup flavour is added at an efficient central bottling company.

The bottling production process prescribes an exact formulation for each of their CSDs both as to the amount of flavour to use for each beverage and the carbonation strength that follows it but always under a controlled pressure. This negates most of the premature effervescence that would otherwise be created, leaving it to the moment the consumer removes the closure cap of his or her bottle which will have settled the CSD's surface condition unless and until the bottle is shaken. Consumers do not have the means to avoid the premature effervescence referred to and therefore it is not possible to produce CSDs privately/at home with the result that they must rely on the products from one of the central bottlers on whom they have learned to rely with the reaction that the numbers of ‘throw-away’(s) will continue to rise as a result.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide consumers with an efficient and easy way for everyone, adult and youngsters, to dispense liquid and powdered flavours including freeze dried fruit juice, sucrose, fructose, sweeteners, vitamins, minerals and/or nutritional supplements together or alone in a recipe into soda-water to mix CSDs without mess and preventing premature effervescence. The containers/capsules recipes and formulae to be added will be available at retailers enabling the consumers to acquire an even wider range of flavours than at present to make their CSD's at home or wherever else is convenient relying on their own soda-maker and the multi-use bottle provided with it to complete the preparation of each CSD ensured of its quality by the reputation of the producer of the containers/capsules.

SUMMARY

The present application describes embodiments of a container, specifically in a form of a capsule, such as a small cylindrical container, having volume of about 10 to 100 ml, and made to hold flowable materials, such as liquid flavours, sucrose, fructose, freeze dried fruit, sweeteners, vitamins, minerals and/or nutritional supplements or mixtures thereof. This container is designed to dispense its content into soda-water which has been pre-carbonated from tap water filtered, if necessary, in a suitable multi-use bottle and, if necessary, pre-filtered by a suitable water filter of which a variety are available in the market.

The container of the present invention is advantageous for the following reasons:

-   -   (a) The container enables carbonated drinks to be prepared very         simply and efficiently.     -   (b) The container enables flavour consistency according to each         recipe and carbonation level.     -   (c) The container has a unique design which allows it to be         attached simply, efficiently and in seconds to a suitable bottle         or to a closure cap of a suitable bottle.     -   (d) The container eliminates the necessity for the ‘throw-away’         PET bottles and cans that contains the beverages delivered from         bottlers today. This eliminates the volume and weight of water         carried by the bottler. 90% of bottled CSDs is actually plain         and simple water, the cartage expense of which is born by every         CSD bottler and paid for within the price of its products.     -   (e) The container is intended to reduce the volume of discarded         various ‘single-use’ bottles and cans by approximately 90% of         future landfill space required, whereas the significantly         reduced heavy delivery cartage is intended to minimise         hydrocarbon exhaust from thousands of heavy vehicles travelling         daily.     -   (f) The container is intended to reduce the need of         merchandising space required for CSDs by retailers that         currently must be available at retail stores for its bottles and         cans. It is intended to relinquish, if not all, part of the         space for merchandising ‘the containers’ that have replaced         bottles and cans.     -   (g) The containers distributed are designed to be accurately         filled by automatic machines reducing the size of bottling         plants and capital investment in them.     -   (h) A beverage made with the container is intended to be priced         at approximately two thirds of currently bottled and canned CSDs         of an equivalent volume and without burdening consumers with         bulk packaging, promising price reductions.     -   (i) From the bottlers point of view, the containers will make it         much more cost efficient and easier to produce a greater variety         of flavours without depending on long production runs to justify         the bottling plant and thereby to ‘ring’ the choices preferred         by consumers that will be more easily attainable.

Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a hermetically-sealed container for holding a flowable material and releasing the same into carbonated water, designed to be used with a multi-use bottle, said bottle is pre-filled with freshly prepared carbonated water, said container comprising:

-   -   (1) At least one wall designed to fracture under pressure of         carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas emerged from said carbonated water for         enabling the release of said flowable material from said         container into the carbonated water; and     -   (2) A means of securing said container to said bottle or to a         closure cap of said bottle;     -   characterized in that said container is designed to be easily         secured to said bottle or to said closure cap of the bottle         using said securing means, and upon shaking said bottle, said at         least one wall of the container is designed to be fractured,         thereby being capable of releasing said flowable material from         the container into said carbonated water while preventing         premature effervescence by virtue of the CO2 pressure maintained         on the surface of the carbonated water in the sealed bottle.

There are two ways to introduce the container into the bottle and secure it in the neck of the bottle. The container may be first inserted and secured in the neck of the bottle and then the bottle is closed with the cap. Alternatively, the container may be first secured to the bottle cap to form the resulting assembly of the bottle cap and container, while the bottle is closed with this bottle cap-container assembly. Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, there are provided two methods for releasing the flowable material from the container into the bottle containing carbonated water.

The first method comprises:

-   -   (1) Providing the container of the present embodiments         containing a flowable material in amount of 10-100 ml and a         multi-use bottle containing carbonated water, said bottle having         a circular step or canal in the upper part of the bottle neck         under the rim of the neck;     -   (2) Inserting the container into the neck of the bottle and         placing the container onto said circular step of the bottle neck         or securing the container in said circular canal;     -   (3) Placing a closure cap on the rim of the bottle and fastening         said closure cap to the bottle for securing the container in the         bottle neck and forming a hermetic seal with the bottle; and     -   (4) Turning the bottle sealed with the closure cap upside down         several times, thereby increasing the CO₂ vapour pressure         capable of fracturing said at least one wall of said container         for releasing said flowable material into said carbonated water.

The second method comprises:

-   -   (1) Providing the container of the present embodiments         containing a flowable material in amount of 10-100 ml and a         multi-use bottle containing carbonated water;     -   (2) Fitting the container into position connecting it to the         closure cap of the bottle, thereby building a closure cap         assembly suitable for securing the container and sealing the         bottle;     -   (3) Inserting the closure cap assembly into the neck of the         bottle and fastening said closure cap assembly to the bottle to         form a hermetic seal with the bottle; and     -   (4) Turning the bottle sealed with the closure cap assembly         upside down several times, thereby increasing the CO₂ vapour         pressure capable of fracturing said at least one wall of said         container for releasing the flowable material into the         carbonated water.

Various embodiments may allow various benefits and may be used in conjunction with various applications. The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying figures and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages of the described techniques will be apparent from the description and drawings and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed embodiments will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended figures.

FIGS. 1 shows the isometric view of the exemplary container (100) having securing means (101), for use with a bottle containing carbonated water, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2a shows the cross-sectional view of a bottle with the container (100) and the bottle closure cap (200) in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 2b-2c show a close-up of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2a in the area, where the bottle closure cap (200) is closing the bottle with the container (100).

FIGS. 3a-3c show the isometric view, side view and bottom view, respectively, of the low (bottom) area of the container (100) of the present invention.

FIGS. 4a-4e schematically illustrate a set of five stages taking place when using the container (100) to prepare a beverage in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various aspects of the present application will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present application may be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present application.

The term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising x and z” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components x and z. As used herein, the term “about” means there is a 10% tolerance of the mentioned or claimed value. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached to”, “connected to”, “coupled with”, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached to”, “directly connected to”, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

The terms “secure” and “securing”, used in the claims, should be interpreted as fix/fixing or attach/attaching something firmly so that it cannot be moved or lost. In particular, “securing” a container to a bottle neck means “firmly attaching said container to the bottle neck”, so it would not drop into water contained in the bottle.

The present invention provides a hermetically-sealed container (100) for holding a flowable material and releasing the same into carbonated water, designed to be used with a multi-use bottle, said bottle is pre-filled with freshly prepared carbonated water, said container comprising:

-   -   (1) At least one wall (104) designed to fracture under pressure         of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas emerged from said carbonated water         for enabling the release of said flowable material from said         container (100) into the carbonated water; and     -   (2) A means (101) of securing said container to said bottle or         to a closure cap (200) of said bottle;     -   characterized in that said container (100) is designed to be         easily secured to said bottle or to said closure cap (200) of         the bottle using said securing means (101), and upon turning         said bottle upside down, said at least one wall (104) of the         container (100) is designed to be fractured, thereby being         capable of releasing said flowable material from the container         into said carbonated water while preventing premature         effervescence by virtue of the CO₂ pressure maintained on the         surface of the carbonated water in the sealed bottle.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the container has a cylindrical shape or in the form of a capsule. Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing an isometric view of the exemplary container (100) having the securing means (101), for use with a bottle containing carbonated water, according to the present embodiments. The particular design of the container (100) of the present invention for storing a flowable material shown in the present figures is entirely exemplary. The container (100) is not limited to this particular design or to the particular design of the securing means (101). Any variations in this design of the container (100) or of the securing means (101) are considered to be under the scope of the present invention.

The cylindrically-shaped container (100) shown in FIG. 1 comprises a storage area (102) for holding the flowable materials. In some embodiments, the flowable materials are flavours, vitamins, minerals and/or nutritional supplements to beverages in the form of a powder or liquid, such as syrup. The container (100) further comprises the securing means (101), which is designed for securing the container (100) to the bottle or to the closure cap (200) of the bottle.

As mentioned above, FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the container (100) of the present invention, designed to be secured to the neck of the bottle with securing means (101). The securing means (101) comprises protruding inner member (103) designed to accept the closure cap (200) in the present example. The inner member (103) comprises protruding flat upper surface (105) and multiple connecting elements, such as connecting pins (106), designed to fix the attachment of the closure cap (200) to the inner member (103). The securing means (101) also comprises circular flange (107) protruding onwards (like wings) and designed to be inserted into a circular step or canal (see FIGS. 2b-2c ) in the upper part of the bottle neck just below the rim of the bottle neck and to be secured there, thereby securing the capsule (100) in the bottle.

It should be noted that the aforementioned connecting elements presented here in a form of the connecting pins (106) for fixing the bottle cap (200) to the inner member (103) are shown here merely as an example. Other various connecting elements may be used to connect, fasten and secure the container (100) to the bottle closure cap (200). For example, in the present design, screw threads may be used instead of the connecting pins (106) for securing the container (100) to the bottle closure cap (200). In some embodiments, the connecting elements comprise a bayonet fitting, which is a type of fastening in which a cylindrical member is inserted into a socket against a direction of the treads and turned into these threads so that two opposite pins on its sides engage in the aforementioned circular step or canal. The present invention is not limited to a particular design of the connecting elements. Any available connecting elements (106) are suitable for use with the container (100) of the present invention to secure it to the closure cap (200). In some embodiments, the container (100) may not necessarily be cylindrically shaped and may possess any other shape and size different from those shown in the present figures.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2a showing a cross-sectional view of a bottle including the closure cap (200) and the container (100) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 2b-2c show a close-up of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2a in the area, where the bottle closure cap (200) is closing the bottle with the container (100).

As described above (see FIG. 1), the securing means (101) comprises the circular flange (107) protruding onwards (like wings) and designed to be inserted into a circular step or canal in the upper part of the bottle neck just below the rim of the bottle neck and to be secured there, thereby securing the capsule (100) in the bottle. The circular flange (107) and the circular step created in the upper part of the bottle neck just below the rim of the bottle are clearly seen in FIG. 2b and in the magnified view (FIG. 2c ) of a small part of that area.

A sealing ring shown in FIGS. 2b-2c is an O-ring designed to be inserted in the bottle closure cap (200) for seating on the rim of the bottle and being compressed during closing the bottle with the closure cap (200), thereby creating a seal at the interface between the closure cap (200) and the bottle. When the closure cap (200) is lifted, the container (100) is passed through the neck of the bottle still connected to the cap, which is then screwed onto the bottle closing it hermetically.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3a-3c showing an isometric view, side view and the bottom view of the low (bottom) area of the container (100) of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, the planar bottom wall (104) of the container (100) comprises central disc (300), which is a thin membrane that is relatively easily breakable when subjected to an elevating pressure of CO₂ gas inside the sealed bottle. Thus, since a high pressure of CO₂ is required for triggering the breakage (destruction) of the membrane (300), the container (100) is intended to be used only with the bottles containing carbonated water.

The membrane (300) is push fitted into the base of the container (100) and ultra-sonically base welded to the 2.2 mm rim of the container bottom wall closing it hermetically with the flowable material inside. In some embodiments of the present invention, the membrane (300) of the bottom wall (104) is made as thin as possible to guarantee the required ‘clean’ fracture while the circular bottom wall (104) is comparatively sturdy. The membrane (300) is designed to fracture into the container (100) at about 20 psi pressure on the blister located on the circumference of the bottom wall (104) about 0.5 mm from the wall of the container (100), except for approximately 3 mm length of the bottom wall (104) to act as a hinge to prevent the membrane (300) from falling into the soda-water after the blister fractures. In case the membrane (300) resists this pressure, a blister can be created on the circumference incorporating a living hinge.

In accordance with some embodiments, the container (100) and the closure cap (200) are made of relatively rigid materials such as metal, metal alloy, various polymeric materials or a combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, the bottle closure cap (200) is an injection-moulded cap made, for example, from polyoxymethylene (also known as acetal), which does not have as much elasticity as the PET polymer. In other embodiments, the sealing ring is made of any available elastic material. In a specific embodiment, the membrane (300) is made of a soft material such as a metal foil, a soft polymeric material and the like.

FIGS. 4a-4e illustrate a set of five stages taking place when using the container (100) to prepare a beverage in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention:

-   -   Step A: (FIG. 4a ) Providing the container (100) of the present         embodiments containing a flowable material in amount of 10-100         ml and a multi-use bottle containing carbonated water, said         bottle having a circular step or canal in the upper part of the         bottle neck just below the rim of the neck, inserting the         container (100) into the neck of the bottle and placing the         container (100) onto said circular step of the bottle neck or         securing the container in said circular canal;     -   Step B: (FIG. 4b ) Placing the closure cap (200) on the rim of         the bottle and fastening said closure cap to the bottle for         securing the container (100) in the bottle neck and forming a         hermetic seal with the bottle;     -   Step C: (FIG. 4c ) Turning the hermetically-sealed bottle upside         down several times, thus increasing the CO₂ vapour pressure         capable of fracturing the membrane (300) of the container (100)         for releasing said flowable material into said carbonated water;     -   Step D: (FIG. 4d ) Pressure fractures the membrane (300) along         the cut on its perimeter releasing its content into the         carbonated water, hereby creating a carbonated soft beverage         ready to pour and drink;     -   Step F: (FIG. 4e ) The carbonated soft beverage is still under         pressure in the bottle, thus preventing premature effervescence         and spillage. After five seconds, the bottle cap (200) is         unscrewed and the container (100) is pushed from the bottle and         discarded.

Thus, in one embodiment, a method for preparing a carbonated beverage comprises the following steps:

-   -   (1) Providing the container (100) of the present embodiments         containing a flowable material in amount of 10-100 ml and a         multi-use bottle containing carbonated water, said bottle having         a circular step or canal in the upper part of the bottle neck         just below the rim of the neck;     -   (2) Inserting the container (100) into the neck of the bottle         and placing the container (100) onto said circular step of the         bottle neck or securing the container (100) in said circular         canal;     -   (3) Placing a closure cap (200) on the rim of the bottle and         fastening said closure cap (200) to the bottle for securing the         container (100) in the bottle neck and forming a hermetic seal         with the bottle; and     -   (4) Turning the hermetically-sealed bottle upside down several         times, thereby increasing the carbon dioxide (CO₂) vapour         pressure capable of fracturing at least one wall of said         container (100) for releasing said flowable material into said         carbonated water.

In another embodiment, a method for preparing a carbonated beverage comprises the following steps:

-   -   (1) Providing the container (100) of the present embodiments         containing a flowable material in amount of 10-100 ml and a         multi-use bottle containing carbonated water;     -   (2) Fitting the container (100) into position connecting it to         the closure cap (200) of the bottle, thereby building a closure         cap assembly suitable for securing the container (100) and         sealing the bottle;     -   (3) Inserting the closure cap assembly into the neck of the         bottle and fastening said closure cap assembly to the bottle to         form a hermetic seal with the bottle; and     -   (4) Turning the hermetically-sealed bottle upside down several         times, thereby increasing the carbon dioxide (CO₂) vapour         pressure capable of fracturing at least one wall of said         container (100) for releasing the flowable material into the         carbonated water. 

1. A hermetically-sealed container (100) for holding a flowable material and releasing the same into carbonated water, designed to be used with a multi-use bottle, said bottle is pre-filled with freshly prepared carbonated water, said container (100) comprising: (1) at least one wall designed to fracture under pressure of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas emerged from said carbonated water for enabling the release of said flowable material from said container (100) into the carbonated water; and (2) a means (101) for securing said container (100) to said bottle or to a closure cap (200) of said bottle; characterized in that said container (100) is designed to be easily secured to said bottle or to said closure cap (200) of the bottle using said securing means (101), and upon turning said bottle upside down, said at least one wall of the container (100) is designed to be fractured, thereby being capable of releasing said flowable material from the container (100) into said carbonated water while preventing premature effervescence by virtue of the CO₂ pressure maintained on the surface of the carbonated water in the hermetically sealed bottle.
 2. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said flowable material is a liquid or powder.
 3. The container (100) according to claim 2, wherein said flowable material is syrup.
 4. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said flowable material is selected from flavourings, vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements to carbonated beverages.
 5. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said container (100) has a cylindrical shape.
 6. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said container (100) is a capsule.
 7. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said means (101) for securing said container to said bottle or to a closure cap (200) of said bottle comprise multiple connecting elements (106).
 8. The container (100) according to claim 7, wherein said multiple connecting elements (106) are selected from connecting pins, screw threads and bayonet fitting.
 9. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said container (100) is made of a relatively rigid material, such as a metal, an alloy, a polymeric material or a combination thereof
 10. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein said wall designed to fracture under pressure is a bottom wall (104) of said container (100).
 11. The container (100) according to claim 10, wherein said bottom wall (104) comprises a membrane (300).
 12. The container (100) according to claim 11, wherein said membrane (300) is made of a soft material such as a metal foil, a soft polymeric material or polysiloxane.
 13. The container (100) according to claim 12, wherein said polymeric material is biodegradable.
 14. A method for preparing a carbonated beverage comprising: (1) providing the container (100) of claim 1 and a multi-use bottle containing carbonated water, said bottle having a circular step or canal in the upper part of the bottle neck just below the rim of the neck; (2) inserting the container (100) into the neck of the bottle and placing the container (100) onto said circular step of the bottle neck or securing the container (100) in said circular canal; (3) placing the closure cap (200) on the rim of the bottle and fastening said closure cap (200) to the bottle for securing the container (100) in the bottle neck and forming a hermetic seal with the bottle; and (4) turning the hermetically-sealed bottle upside down several times, thereby increasing the CO₂ vapour pressure capable of fracturing said at least one wall of said container (100) for releasing said flowable material into said carbonated water.
 15. A method for preparing a carbonated beverage comprising: (1) providing the container (100) of claim 1 and a multi-use bottle containing carbonated water; (2) fitting the container (100) into position connecting it to the closure cap (200) of the bottle, thereby building a closure cap assembly suitable for securing the container (100) and hermetically sealing the bottle; (3) inserting the closure cap assembly into the neck of the bottle and fastening said closure cap assembly to the bottle to form a hermetic seal with the bottle; and (4) turning the hermetically-sealed bottle upside down several times, thereby increasing the CO₂ vapour pressure capable of fracturing said at least one wall of said container (100) for releasing the flowable material into the carbonated water. 